Russian Newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe’s website is currently facing a barrage of coordinated distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which have been ongoing since earlier this week, significantly disrupting its online operations. The IT team at Novaya Gazeta Europe confirmed that these cyber assaults intensified on Tuesday, recording an alarming surge of up to 12 million requests per minute. This relentless barrage has rendered the website temporarily inaccessible, forcing the team to activate additional protective protocols to maintain service continuity. Despite these efforts, users may still find it challenging to access the site, as the DDoS attacks continue to create a tumultuous online environment.
The DDoS attacks are reportedly being executed from multiple data centers and have been traced back to IP addresses associated with the North Korean government. This troubling development underscores the increasingly close alliance between North Korea and Russia, particularly as the Kremlin has classified Novaya Gazeta Europe as an “undesirable organization.” As a result, access to the outlet’s content has been blocked within Russia, making it more vulnerable to aggressive cyber tactics. The use of DDoS attacks is a common strategy employed by Russian hacker groups, specifically targeting opposition NGOs and media outlets that dare to present alternative narratives to the Kremlin’s official line. This not only disrupts their operations but also serves to intimidate and silence dissenting voices.
In response to the ongoing cyber assaults, the Novaya Gazeta Europe IT team has advised readers that they may experience difficulty accessing the website during this tumultuous period. They have urged users to attempt to reconnect after brief intervals, typically between 20 to 30 minutes, which is the usual time required to overcome each wave of the attack. These disruptions highlight the ongoing challenges faced by independent media outlets operating under authoritarian regimes, where digital censorship and cyber warfare tactics are increasingly commonplace. The resilience of Novaya Gazeta Europe and its commitment to providing independent journalism remains crucial, even in the face of such severe adversity.
The persistence of these DDoS attacks on Novaya Gazeta Europe serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by journalists and media organizations committed to presenting alternative viewpoints. Such cyber warfare tactics are not merely about technical disruptions; they represent a broader strategy to undermine free speech and independent journalism. As the situation unfolds, the international community must remain vigilant and supportive of free press initiatives, recognizing the crucial role they play in fostering transparency and accountability in regions plagued by censorship and oppression. Solidarity with independent media is essential, as it empowers these organizations to continue their vital work of informing the public and challenging authoritarian narratives, even in the face of significant threats.
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